The older I get the more I realize just how precious is the gift of time. I’m surrounded by reminders that it goes by very, very quickly. We have pictures in our home of our children when they were young. I don’t know how those pictures could have been taken that long ago. This weekend the Master’s golf tournament kept showing recent shots of previous tournament winners. Arnold Palmer couldn’t even participate in the ceremonial opening drive. He had to look on from a chair. When Jack Niklaus took his turn he swung the club like a player who has most definitely seen his better days.
Have you noticed the value of time in your own life? Some days it seems like I get up in the morning and before I even know it it’s time to go to bed at night. The days just fly by. Like many before me, I want to hold time, slow it down, maybe even make it stop.
But since I can’t do that, I have made a concerted effort to make the most of the gift of time I’ve been given. I seem to get more frustrated when I waste my time, or have it wasted by others. But more importantly, I’m attempting to use my time more wisely. Many times I fail to do so. But I’m getting better at using my time more wisely. That’s going to be one of my life’s goals from this day forward.
If you’re looking to recover some wasted time, may I make a few recommendations?
- Turn off the TV. Yeah, really. Turn it off. Very little that you see on TV will help you make the most of your time, move forward in life, or give you what you need to succeed. I haven’t turned off the TV completely, but I have drastically reduced what I watch. Even cutting back a little bit, or even to half of what you used to watch, will enable you to do things that you previously thought impossible. Some people have asked where I found the time to write as often as I do. This is where I found it.
- Read Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy. This book will help you create a life plan and stick to it. If you feel like you’ve been drifting this book will inspire you to take charge of your life rather than simply waiting to see what happens next. When you have a plan you can put the pieces in place to make that plan happen. You will more likely fill your empty spaces with things that really matter.
- Fill gaps with things that matter and move you forward. I have written here and here about the way listening to podcasts has changed my life…or at least driving in the car. The amount of time I have dedicated to this pursuit has taught me things, made me laugh, cry, think, and challenged me in ways too many to count. You don’t have to listen to what I listen to. Go find some podcasts that inspire you and teach you things you never knew before. You will thank me. What are some other ways you have found to fill the gaps between events in your life?
Time is too valuable to waste. It slips away far too quickly. You’re never too young or too old to make the most of it. Start today.
How have you made the most of the gift of time?
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.